FlaMariner

That's the way we roll........... We travel with a carry on roller bag and backpack each (use HAL laundry). It's so much more convenient to pass by the longshoreman (and the tip requirement) and roll our carry on/roller bag right to the stateroom. No issues. Easy. And no waiting on luggage delivery. Same but in reverse (and much sadder mood) when we dis-embark and use "self-assisted" dis-embarkation. (I'd only advise taking your own luggage with you if you can easily handle/drive/steer it...And you travel lite......Sometimes frustrating with the elderly passengers gumming up the early dis-embarkation line with their way too big for them to drive suitcases...thinking some folks need a license before hitting the gangway w/their SUV size luggage) Enjoy the cruise......

Yes. The hangers can be removed.

Welcome to HAL! Our experience from our last two cruises in 2023...... Security check Passport face scan Receive boarding group number Sit Board when group number called Scan boarding pass at entrance to ship Go to room and keycards are waiting Easy peezy and our experience has been that you keep moving......not much in the way of lines since the streamlined process of face scanning.... Enjoy the journey........

We were there in March 2023 on the Oosterdam. Great port. I do not know/recall any cruise ship transport at the pier......but.... Our independent tour picked us up/returned us at/to the port.

Just guessing.....but.... If there is some "fixed cost" from the port/government and we are on HAL's "mid sized ships" and not sailing "condo of the seas", seems as though HAL would have higher port/government fees per passenger?

Our first "check in time" experience was post Covid (October 2021, Maiden voyage of Rotterdam) in Amsterdam. There was much gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands by all of us on the roll call because of the assigned "check in times" and all the Covid travel hassles/documents/restrictions/EuropeQR codes/masks etc. It was all for nothing as we arrived early (way before assigned check in time) and the tall, blond Dutch lady was ready to stick a long q-tip up our noses for a pre-board Covid test. Luckily, we've never experienced the hassles like the folks experienced when embarking in California, then again, we tend to avoid California. Enjoy embarkation....no matter when you plan to arrive....just don't miss the boat!

Since the "recent unpleasantness" (Covid) we've boarded Holland America Line ships in..... Amsterdam Santiago/San Antonio Port Everglades 3x Seattle Our "check in" time was always some distant time in the afternoon. We arrived way before that (usually ~10am) and we were always welcomed to enter and get checked in. (my cruise fare includes lunch on embarkation day and we plan to partake)

Thanks to all for the intel.....I'm the OP. We booked ATL - JFK - SIN...thru Singapore Airlines.....(ATL - JFK is w/Jet Blue, then Singapore Airlines JFK - SIN) The one way flight in Premium Economy is $1,156 per passenger. 25 hours and 20 minutes of travel.....Leaving on a Tuesday and arriving on a Thursday (blows my mind). LOL. Singapore Airlines was the one of the lowest prices.....within a few dollars of Turkish Air and way under the prices of Delta/Emirates/United/American/JAL/China etc. The cruise is on Carnival and the've been telling me "technical issue" for the last month as to why their "fly2fun" isn't showing flights. I have a theory that this cruise (repositioning because of dry dock) will not offer air because this is not in Carnival's regular "stomping ground" of ports. Thanks again for the guidance......we are excited for this trip....bucket list stuff for us.

Here is a cut/paste from a previous post...... You are fine without it....IMO. Here is what we use it for (sometimes) and what is the alternative: boarding pass at embarkation ......print it instead ordering at dive in & NY pizza......order at the counter and get pager for when ready daily schedule......paper schedule delivered to your room communicate with guest services......visit guest services use text feature to tell Her Majesty that I am at the bar.......leave paper note in room Menu at MDR......view it on TV onboard account (I think it is on there)......view it on TV

That's good to hear....Did you show them the app with the "elegible" and "redeemed" and that was enough proof?

Seems like two weeks was when they started having/offering upsells when I called for a cruise last October.

I never had to do that.....It's not required to complete the process....It's only an option. I uploaded a pic of my statement. (my frustration now is I have received notice on stockperks that I'm "eligible" and my perk has been successfully "redeemed" but the TA says the OBC is not in the booking confirmation.)

We've scored on two upsells over the past two years and we were able to choose from the particular "available" cabins. My advice is to respond quickly, have a deck plan out, credit card number ready and agreement w/Her Majesty already confirmed....do not dilly dally.

I haven't read all the posts but I'm thankful for the newer, larger HAL ships..... Why? Two reasons....... The fares on the HAL "mid sized" ships allow us to sail/see the world at a price point that makes it possible for us....and sometimes we get to snag a balcony. We still do not have to board a "condo of the seas" ship to afford cruising...... (If we had more $$$, we'd be all over the smaller ship with all the amenities included, etc but it will not work financially for us) Enjoy the choices in cruising.....we love the HAL of today.

So, Several weeks ago I completed the steps and I see on the stockperks app that I am "eligible" and that I have "redeemed" yet our TA does not show the stockholder OBC (as before). Is the OBC possibly there but not visible to the TA as in the past? Any intel on how to confirm?

Just reading that a USA warship just had a close call with a enemy missile fired at them in the Red Sea.....Would not like to be on a HAL ship enjoying my lido breakfast when the missiles are incoming......thinking an itinerary change is in order.....makes my grumbling of "why are they canceling Key West for Freeport" seem silly and trivial.....while at the time, we were mad & upset....LOL>

Lol. ship happens.

great example of "ports are not guaranteed" in the contract.

Us too, our favorite deck because of location to spa/gym and lido pool/food....And always find it very quiet....Also, the price point for the VF cabins is very good...and very quiet up there... Enjoy the Nieuw Statendam......

On our trans-pacific cruise in October (2023), I did not notice any difference in food choices from any other HAL cruise......(but we were on the Westerdam leaving Seattle and traveling to Asia so perhaps things might be different once the cruise originates in Asia). Enjoy the cruise....we loved our first time traveling to Japan.....

We agree. We always enjoy/choose the no surcharge coffee onboard.

That's a given....goes with the piano bar....So does "Piano Man"...... So much fun......

Going to one piano player/singer is fine with us....Billboard Onboard is our favorite evening venue.....But a couple of times one of the folks was "sick" and we had just as much fun as if there were two...The sets are so short.... As long as we can still hear (and sing along) to.....Sweet Home Alabama and Country Roads, we are good to go.

Be careful during spring break....My 83 year old Mother and her 79 year old friend are boarding the Nieuw Statendam 3/3 and are heading to Cozumel....... Should be a wild party ship....NOT.

For myself, I prefer the pronouns "cheapskate" or "tightwad" or "scrooge" instead of poor.....But I'm ok with whatever label you wish to call me if I can jump on a ship for $49 a day!